Ongoing assessment: experience of a university biofeedback clinic

A long-term, single-group follow-up study of biofeedback therapy with chronic medical and psychiatric patients

In a long-term follow-up study, 524 (93%) of 563 consecutive medical and psychiatric patients, who received an average of 8 sessions of biofeedback and relaxation training, provided follow-up evaluations of treatment outcome. Seventy-five percent reported maximum, significant, or moderate improvement. There was a significant positive association between the percent of patients improved and the number of treatment sessions up to 10 sessions, but not thereafter. Symptom frequency decreased by 54% and symptom severity by 30%. About 54% of the medicated patients reported a decrease in medication. No differential therapist effects were found. About twice as many patients rated relaxation training as most helpful compared with the audio/visual signals from biofeedback instruments.

Biofeedback-assisted stress management for insulin-treated diabetes mellitus

Six insulin-treated diabetic patients (four with type I and two with type II) who completed a biofeedback-assisted stress management program based on family systems theory improved their response to life stressors, and none had negative side effects. Four decreased their insulin requirement, including one who remained stable even during two pregnancies; the sixth became stable and discontinued drug abuse. All started biofeedback for reasons other than diabetes. Follow-ups of some individuals extend over 4 years.